VIRUS SCARE GROUNDS MARLINS

They delay return flight to Miami for series with Orioles

The Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds are waiting to see how COVID-19 affects them heading into the second series of the season.

Miami scratched righthander Jose Urena from his scheduled start Sunday in Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home because of concerns about a coronavirus outbreak within the team.

The Marlins planned to arrive in Miami hours before their home opener against Baltimore, unsure how many players might remain quarantined in Philadelphia.

The Reds were without second baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Nick Senzel for a 3-2 loss to the Tigers in Cincinnati. Both felt sick a day after teammate Matt Davidson went on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Moustakas went on the injured list Sunday. Senzel’s status was unclear.

“This is all new,” Reds manager David Bell said of the uncertainty. “As everyone knows around the world right now, it’s a big deal, what we’re all dealing with.”

No reason was given for Urena being scratched in the series finale, which Miami won 11-6.

Manager Don Mattingly said the Marlins decided to wait until today to leave Philadelphia. The trip might be made while multiple players remain in Philadelphia.

“The guys that tested positive are quarantined here in Philly,” Mattingly said. The team made no roster moves after the game.

Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro was placed on the injured list Friday afternoon and outfielder Harold Ramirez and first baseman Garrett Cooper were not in Sunday’s lineup after starting the first two games. The Marlins did not provide a reason for any of the absences, but various reports said all four were related to COVID-19. It seemed uncertain for a time on Sunday morning if the game would even be played.

The team’s precarious health raised anew doubts about MLB’S ability to finish the season during a pandemic.

The Marlins’ decision to postpone their flight home was made with family members in mind.

“We were more comfortable flying as a group later,” Mattingly said. “We’re talking about these guys traveling back home to their families and their kids, and it’s the reason we want to be safe.”

Some Marlins players texted each other about the team’s health issues before Sunday’s game, but there was no talk of declining to play, shortstop Miguel Rojas said.

“That was never our mentality,” Rojas said. “We knew this could happen at some point. We came to the ballpark

ready to play.”

Said Mattingly: “It’s fair to say guys are concerned about things. They want how they’re feeling about the situation to be heard. I think it’s fair. We’re talking about health.”

Right-hander Robert Dugger said he learned at 8:30 a.m. that he would filling in for Urena. Dugger said the Marlins are braced for the uncertainty that comes with trying to hold a season during

a pandemic.

“There’s nothing we can really do,” he said. “It’s out of our control. We just do the best we can with the masks and social distancing and all that, and hope for the best.”

The Marlins played exhibition games at Atlanta on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Braves, who have since been without their top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d’arnaud, after both players showed symptoms

of the coronavirus.

Mattingly declined to say whether he thought the Marlins’ health issues were related to the Atlanta stop. But he said he’ll be happy to return to Miami, even though it’s a hot spot for the pandemic.

“It feels safer in Miami than anywhere,” Mattingly said. “You feel safe at the ballpark; I feel safe with my surroundings going home. It’s a lot scarier on the road.”